Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer detected during pregnancy. Other than this melanoma and cervical cancers are also common during pregnancy. Pregnancy and breast cancer related to pregnancy is generally when cancer has been detected during or with in 1 year after delivery during lactation. This could be because of many reasons . but mostly due to missing of lump because of-
- Hypertrophy of breast tissue
- Change in breast texture
- Change in hormonal levels etc.
Now a days the percentage of pregnancy associated or related breast cancer is 20% of overall population below the age of 30 years. Women who had no kids or pregnancy after 30 years have a higher chances of breast cancer risk.
Some of the studies have shown that breastfeeding for 2 years or more will reduce chances of breast cancer . theory behind this is during pregnancy multiple hormonal changes happen. During pregnancy women is not exposed to certain hormones and won’t get menstrual periods. Same is at the time of lactation also. But getting breast cancer during pregnancy and breastfeeding time is a totally different story. There is no for sure cause of breast cancer prevention from lactation and occurrence of breast cancer during this time. More studies are required in this context.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Answer : There is no single cause of breast cancer.
Breast cancer normally happens because of various causes- like
- Change in environment
- Changes of hormones
- Taking more alcohol
- Less physical activity
- Eating more junk fatty food causing obesity
- Taking more stress which indirectly changes your hormone
- Less veggies and fruits etc.
All breast cancer happens because of change in genes which will happen due to various above causes. Once change in gene happen then it can get transferred from one generation to other.
A Breast Cancer Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer During Pregnancy or Lactation-
- Lump in the breast (painless or painful )
- Bloody / brownish nipple discharge
- Change in skin of breast like orange skin
- Change in shape of the breast
- Lump detected during ultrasound
Q- How someone come to know about breast cancer and what needs to be done after that?
By doing-
- Clinical breast examination by a specialist breast surgeon
- Sonomammogram( ultrasound of the breast)
- Core biopsy of lump.
What Is The Treatment Of Breast Cancer During Pregnancy?
Treatment depends on staging of the breast cancer
It is not only surgery but also-
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Hormonal therapy
Treatment of breast cancer should not be delayed . if a women is 2-3 weeks from her delivery date than treatment can be started after that but always after discussion of your breast surgeon and oncologist.
Radiation and chemotherapy are generally not given during pregnancy.
Surgery is commonly preferred during pregnancy by taking proper care during anaesthesia. Breast conservation surgery is an option if pregnancy is recently detected. In this case baby has to be aborted or pregnancy needs to be terminated to complete breast cancer treatment in a lady.
If women is diagnosed with breast cancer in first or second trimester of pregnancy that is first six months of pregnancy and wanted to continue her pregnancy than full removal of breast (mastectomy) is an option with axillary lymph node clearance only after discussion with your doctor. Chemotherapy can be delayed till the date of delivery, although the risks and benefits must be carefully weighted. If breast cancer is diagnosed at the end of pregnancy (final 3 months)
Breast conservation surgery or mastectomy both are options with considering stage of the cancer
The other most important area of concerned is breastfeeding.
Is Breastfeeding Allowed During Chemotherapy?
Answer is NO.
Women who receive chemotherapy or other drug therapy after childbirth should not continue lactation / breastfeeding.
This is interesting to know patients curiosity towards breast reconstruction or cosmetic makeover of breast? Is it possible.
Conclusion
Well breast reconstruction or immediate implant reconstruction is that safe .and also not typically performed in the same sitting to avoid bad outcomes. Once breast will come to normal status women can go for reconstruction but in some cases it is possible to do single shot surgery. Needs to be discussed with breast specialist surgeon, who can take a better call.
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